2 Positions Every Premier League Club Needs to Urgently Address This Summer

We've just closed the book on England's top-tier season, but B/R are already looking ahead to the summer transfer window and how clubs can improve.

With that in mind, we've deduced two positions on the pitch every club—including the promoted trio of Leicester, Burnley and Derby/Queens Park Rangers—can improve, be it with returning loan stars, promoting academy players or buying replacements.

Arsenal

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Defensive midfield

Mikel Arteta's improved season was not without flaws, and while Mathieu Flamini is an adequate rotation option, he's not world-class. If you could roll them into one it'd be perfect...but unfortunately, that's not physically possible.

Striker

Olivier Giroud put in a valiant season, but he's not the striker who can lead Arsenal to a Premier League title. They need a more physically complete player to lead the line—one who doesn't miss a slew of one vs. ones every season.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa's primary need is a playmaking No. 10 to unlock defences whilst in possession. There's a reason Villa can "only" score counter-attacking goals, and it's because they've no clue how to break teams down.

Left-back

There are a number of secondary needs—left-back, defensive midfield, winger—but the former is perhaps most pressing. Villa fans would love to secure Ryan Bertrand, who's accomplished going forward and an underrated defender, on a permanent deal.

Crystal Palace

Kagisho Dikgacoi isn't really cutting the mustard in Tony Pulis' midfield, and he's only playing on a regular basis because there are no other options.

If the manager can find the perfect accompaniment to Mile Jedinak and Joe Ledley in his midfield three, Crystal Palace can be more than just "survivors" in the Premier League.

Left-back

If Pulis can find a left-back he trusts, Joel Ward can move back to his favoured position on the right instead of deputising out of position. That's no slight on Ward—he's been magnificent wherever he's played—but he should be playing in his optimal position.

Derby/Queens Park Rangers

The Championship play-off final will feature Derby and Queens Park Rangers on 24 May at Wembley Stadium, with one of the two outfits set to win a place in the 2014-15 edition of the Premier League.

Derby have questions at right-back unless Andre Wisdom is retained for a second loan spell, and a sprinkling of quality could be added to the front three.

Queens Park Rangers have a Premier League-calibre squad already, but question marks will be floated over the durability of their aging central defensive duo. Left-back, too, is a concern after Benoit Assou-Ekotto returns to Tottenham Hotspur.

Hull City

Jake Livermore had a sublime season at the KC Stadium, and if he's available for £7 million or less, Hull must bite the bullet and secure his services permanently.

If not, they need to find an all-round box-to-box midfielder who can make clever runs, carry the ball and connect with Tom Huddlestone on the same level.

Wing-back

The strikers are set, the midfield is close to set and the defensive line is sturdy. That leaves the only other position in need of improving as wing-back, but it would involve the upheaval of a fan favourite.

Specifically, a better right-wing-back than Ahmed Elmohamady can be found—exciting and hardworking as he is.

Liverpool

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty ImagesRodriguez will be in demand this summer.

Full-back

Jon Flanagan is, ideally, a third-choice full-back who provides cover on both sides for Liverpool. He's a defence-first, much-improved option whom Brendan Rodgers has done wonders with, but a title tilt is expected and the Reds need quality.

Glen Johnson's defensive frailties were on show throughout the 2013-14 season, and the club can also do a lot better than Jose Enrique and Aly Cissokho now that they are back in the UEFA Champions League.

Defensive midfield

There are question marks in central defence, but to answer them Rodgers doesn't necessarily need to buy. Defensive midfield, therefore, becomes the next priority, as Lucas Leiva's performances have dropped sharply since a bad injury.

They need a physical ball-winner in the mould of Victor Wanyama; a different take on what's currently on offer in midfield.

Manchester United

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Centre-back

For Manchester United, you have to start at centre-back given the fact that Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are both leaving the club.

An established, yet young(ish) defender must be found to begin the foundations of a new long-term partnership this summer. Ezequiel Garay has been linked to the club, via Ed Malyon of the Mirror, and would be a good solution.

Left-back

With the plethora of attacking talent available to the new manager, we look back down the lineup and find a gargantuan hole at left-back.

Whether or not Patrice Evra stays, help is needed, and Alexander Buttner cannot be trusted. If Luke Shaw's too expensive, United should go for Ricardo Rodriguez of Wolfsburg.

Newcastle United

After Yohan Cabaye left Newcastle United in January, the wheels completely fell off. Nothing was being created whatsoever, and none of the forward players were getting any service.

The summer must be used to find Cabaye's replacement, be it in the same deep-lying form the now-Paris Saint-Germain player took, or as a more offensive, No. 10-esque type.

Striker

Loic Remy's loan will end and, let's face it, his signature will be thoroughly in demand. Arsenal and Everton should both be looking his way, while Queens Park Rangers could feasibly keep him should they achieve promotion.

Mark Douglas of the Chronicle confirms Luuk de Jong will not be signed permanently and Shola Ameobi could leave. Strikers aplenty required on Tyneside.

Sunderland

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Full-back

Sunderland's full-back corps is largely made up of loanees or players leaving on a free transfer. Jack Colback is the subject of interest from 11 clubs, per James Hunter of the Chronicle, while Ondrej Celustka and Marcos Alonso are borrowed talents.

At least two new players are needed here, with Alonso on permanent deal a very attractive possibility.

Central midfield

The aforementioned Colback plays most of his football in midfield, and he, along with Craig Gardner and Ki Sung-Yueng, are either out of contract or returning to parent clubs.

The entire midfield three needs a rework, and Gus Poyet will need funds regardless of the direction he takes.